conv.

All stories
SportsActive today · day 4

Suaalii handed wing role for Wallabies' first Test against Springboks

Les Kiss names rugby league convert to start on left wing in Perth, with six bench forwards to counter South Africa's power reserves.

newest coverage 9h agosummary written 7h ago23 pieces NewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • Suaalii makes his first Test start on the left wing against South Africa, a position he has never started in professional rugby but played for Australian Schools six years ago.
  • Les Kiss names six forwards on the bench to counter the Springboks' traditionally powerful reserves, a 6-2 split last used against the British & Irish Lions in July 2025.
  • Suaalii's shift allows Len Ikitau to move to outside centre alongside Hunter Paisami, while Max Jorgensen starts on the opposite wing.
  • The Wallabies remain unbeaten under Kiss in four matches and face the world-ranked number one Springboks as their final Test before the one-year countdown to the home World Cup.

“Obviously, Lonners [Lonergan] can cover it, Hunter [Paisami] played 10 as a youngster and I have no doubt he could fit into there, I also think Lenny would have the calmness of mind to be able to just work that first receiver role.”

Les Kiss, Wallabies coach · Sydney Morning Herald ↗

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii Wallabies backLes Kiss Wallabies coachMax Jorgensen Wallabies wingerLen IkitauLen Ikitau Wallabies centreSouth Africa Springboks Opposing Test team

Suaalii handed wing role for Wallabies' first Test against Springboks
Sydney Morning Herald

How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 4 pieces in one hour at Today, 12 AM; 23 pieces over 4 days (23 articles) Sep 21, 1 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 3 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — quietSep 21, 5 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 7 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 9 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 1 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 1 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 22, 2 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 22, 3 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Sep 22, 4 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 22, 5 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Sep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — 3 pieces · 3 articles — Google News 3Sep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Sep 22, 11 PM — quietSep 23, 12 AM — quietSep 23, 1 AM — quietSep 23, 2 AM — quietSep 23, 3 AM — quietSep 23, 4 AM — quietSep 23, 5 AM — quietSep 23, 6 AM — quietSep 23, 7 AM — quietSep 23, 8 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 23, 9 AM — quietSep 23, 10 AM — quietSep 23, 11 AM — quietSep 23, 12 PM — quietSep 23, 1 PM — quietSep 23, 2 PM — quietSep 23, 3 PM — quietSep 23, 4 PM — quietSep 23, 5 PM — quietSep 23, 6 PM — quietSep 23, 7 PM — quietSep 23, 8 PM — quietSep 23, 9 PM — quietSep 23, 10 PM — quietSep 23, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Yesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — 4 pieces · 4 articles — Newswires 3, Google News 1Today, 1 AM — 4 pieces · 4 articles — Google News 3, Newswires 1Today, 2 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quietToday, 8 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quietToday, 10 AM — quiet 12–3
Sep 22Sep 23yesterdaynow · 11:48 AM ET
  1. 3

    Les Kiss confirms Suaalii's first wing start and 6-2 bench split

    Wallabies coach Les Kiss names his team for Sunday's Test in Perth, confirming Suaalii will start on the left wing and selecting six forwards on the bench to counter the Springboks' powerful reserves. Kiss indicates Suaalii will likely move back to outside centre during the match, with winger Harry Potter available on the bench.

    “He [Suaalii] was up for it [playing wing], no doubt. I'm really happy with him at 13. He could move back to 13 during the game, we've got that flexibility with Potts on the bench.”
    — Les Kiss
    1. 3 outlets Wallabies give Suaalii a run on the wing for Springboks test

      first by Channel News Asia, 10h ago · also ESPN, Sydney Morning Herald

      2 more headlines
  2. 2

    Media outlets report tactical adjustments in new-look backfield

    News outlets note that Suaalii's shift to the wing has prompted a restructured backfield, with Len Ikitau moving to outside centre alongside Hunter Paisami, while Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright occupy the opposite wing and fullback positions respectively.

  3. 1 day quiet
  4. 1

    SMH reports Suaalii to get extended wing opportunity

    Media outlets report that Suaalii will be given an extended opportunity on the wing in the upcoming Wallabies Test against South Africa.

    1. 2 outlets Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii given nod to start on wing for Wallabies against South Africa

      first by The Guardian, 10h ago · also Guardian Sport

    2. 1 outlet Best in the business: Suaalii to soar on Wallabies wing

      first by The Canberra Times, 9h ago

  5. background

    Suaalii plays cameo on wing against Japan — Suaalii made a brief appearance on the wing for the Wallabies against Japan in Osaka in August, his first taste of the position in Test rugby.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 4 outlets Wallabies set to make major Suaalii call for Springboks clash

    first by The Australian, 2d ago · also Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times, CODE Sports

    1 more headline

and 2 smaller pieces